Shoulderless gown



March 7, 1944.

[0. M. BAILEY SHCULDERLESS GOWN Filed April 28, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 7, 1944. QM. BAILEY SHOULDERLESS GOWN Filed April 28, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 7, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE SHOULDERLESS GOWN Otis M. Bailey, Bristol, It. 1. Application April 28, 1941, Serial No. 390,763

3 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in shoulderless gowns and comprises improvements inthe gown itself to make it self-supporting on the wearersbody.

Thile my invention is particularly adapted for use as an apron, it is also adapted for use for any type of an athletic gown, such as a bathing suit, ball gown, rain coat, or otherwise.

A further object of my invention is to provide a gown having concealed spring clip means therein adapted to clip each side of the wearers torso at an angle to clamp the gown thereto, the front ends of the clips bearing on the wearers chest above the bosom and the rear ends of the clips abutting the kidney portion of the back, the device thus functioning as a pair of bicycle clips to positively clamp the attached gown to the wearer's torso between her chest and back to support the gown with the overhang of the gown resting on the downwardly inclined upper portion of the wearer's bosom. As far as I am aware I am the first, to support a shoulderless gown on the wearer's bosom and as the gown hugs the wearer's bosom tightly, it tends to display .the neat graceful curves of the wearer.

A further object of my invention as my improved gown is merely lightly hung on the wearer's bosom, is to give greater freedom of action to all parts of the body, thus providing a device which is peculiarly adapted for athletics, such T as bathing suits, ball gowns, etc. As my device clamps against the kidney portion of the back and the upper portion of the bosom, it tends to support the body at these points and instinctively makes the wearer stand straighter as the wearer is also conscious that her graceful curves are being displayed to her best advantage.

- As stated, my device is peculiarly adapted for use as an apron for a servant or housewife which can be readily slipped on for her household duties and equally readily slipped off temporarily for any specific purpose, such as answering a door bell.

A further feature of my invention when my deto get the inside of an automobile wet and permitting the bather to drive to the beach, presenting a fully clothed appearance.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device which may be readily hung up when desired and which also may be packed around a flattened frame to take up a small compass when traveling and providing a simple device not much larger than a handbag which may be carried by the user under her arm.

A further object of my'invention is to provide a shoulderless gown in which the supporting means is at all times completely concealed and hidden from view by the gown itself.

These and such other objects of my invention as may hereinafter appear will be best understood from a description of the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments thereof.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a from; elevation of a housewife wearing an embodiment of my improved shoulderless gown of the apron type.

' Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the housewife shown in Fig. 1 illustrating the rear view of the apron.

Fig. 2' is a side elevation of the housewife shown in Figs. 1 and 2 wearing the apron and illustrating how-the apron is clamped between the chest and the back to drape and support the apron on the wearersbosom, with her left arm removed.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a bathing lady wearing a different embodiment of my invention as a covering after swimming.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a dancing girl wearing an embodiment of my invention of the ball gown type.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the spring frame I preferably employ showing it in distended position for attachment around the waist in dotted lines.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with the spring frame collapsed and retained in a flat position and the apron folded around it for carrying in the wearers hand or for packing purposes.

Fig. '7 is a rear elevation of the apron shown in Figs. 1 and 2 illustrating the position it may assume to permit it to be hung on a hook.

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the rear portion of the garment showing the pockets formed at the rear end of the gown and along the side edges thereof for receiving the spring frame.

In the drawings, wherein like characters of 3 reference indicate like parts throughout, Hi generally indicates a shoulderless gown constructed in accordance with my invention.

I have shown three embodiments of shoulderless gowns, the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 2 and 5 to 8 being adapted for use as an apron. I have shown in Fig. 3 an embodiment of shoulderless gown l0 adapted for use as a light rain coat covering for swimmers to be readily attached over a bathing suit. I have shown in Fig. 4 an embodiment l0" adapted for use as a ball gown. In principle and functioning, it will be apparent that all three embodiments shown comprise the same essential fundamental parts of my invention, the different embodiments for diiferent uses being provided by additions to or changes in the cut of the skirt portion of the gown, the bib portion remaining substantially the same in all embodiments.

While I employ the words "skirt portion in the claims as the portion hanging down from the waist, it is obvious that instead of a complete cover for the nether portion, it may be split, if desired, into trousers as in a bathing suit, and I, therefore, employ the word skirt to apply to any type of covering for the nether portion of the wearer below the waist.

In all embodiments of my invention the shoulderless gown, ii, M or id" is hung on a prehensile spring frame. The word "prehensile" is thought apt, as it signifies adapted for seizing, grasping, or laying hold of anything, in this instance the wearer's body.

In describing the parts of my invention therefore, I will use the same reference characters throughout the figures, prirfiing them, or double priming them for the different embodiments only for the parts which differ.

The essential feature of the spring frame it is that it comprises at each end thereof spring clip supporting means l4, clamping each side of the wearer's torso between the kidney portion of the wearer's bacis and the wearer's chest and strap means such as the integral wire portion it connected to the lower end of each spring clip supporting means 54 extending around the wearers waist. Said clip spring portions M are attached to the side edges it of the bib portion 20, thereby concealing the central waist encircling portion 88 of the wire which is preferably tempered so that it will retain a set position, the clamping ends or the spring clips it being not tempered so that they may be folded for packing purposes, as shown in Fig. 6., or bent to the exact configuration oi. the individual wearers body for a more perfect fit. The central tempered portion i6 is set to substantially embrace the wearer's waist. The end portions, comprising the spring clips H are each first looped outwardly at the rear of the wearer as at 22 to provide the prongs 22, facing each other and to provide back portions 23 each adapted to overlie a kidney portion of the wearers back. Each end is then extended as a side portion 24 to extend beneath an armpit 28 of the wearer and each end finally terminates as a front portion 28, preferably in a looped end on the wearer's chest, in the preferred embodiment shown, substantially adjacent a shoulder blade joint 30 of the wearer above the wearer's bosom 32, clamping a side of the wearer's torso between the front and back portions 22 and 28. As stated, each end is preferably looped as at 34 and a protective covering 30, preferably of rubber or other suitable material. is preferably provided for the looped end 34 to prevent the sharp end from sticking into the wearer's body. While the prehensile spring frame I2 is preferably made of wire, as shown, it is obvious that the spring clips ll may be made of separate pieces and any suitable strap means may be provided for joining the lower ends 23 of the clips together, extending around the wearer's waist instead of the integral waist encircling wire portion l6.

In all embodiments shown, the gown fabric 38 is split centrally from the waist down as at 40 at the rear thereof for a distance downwards. Each split portion is provided with the pockets 42 on the front unexposed surface thereof at the waist containing the looped ends 22 of the waist encircling spring iii. The difference in the different types of shoulderless gowns which may be made comprises variations in the skirt portion 64 of the gown fabric. In all embodiments the skirt portion 44, it or 34" at least partially encircling the wearer's nether portion. In the apron shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 2 the skirt portion merely covers the front of the wearers dress, as is usual with aprons. In the rain coat embodiment 58' shown in Fig. 3 the skirt portion dd extends in tubular formation substantially to the knees and a Zipper, or other separable fastener device 36 may be provided for joining the split edges thereof together. In the embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. 4, the skirt portion M" is tubular with a flaring lower end 68, which may drag on the door, as is usual for ball gowns. The ball gown may also be provided with a separable fastener so for joining the split portions thereof together, the split portion 48, in this instance, only continuing to the wearerships. If it be desired to incorporate my invention in a bathing suit, the tubular skirt portion id is made in the double tubular formation of a pair of trousers.

Said gown fabric in all embodiments has a bib portion 2t extending upwards from the front of the skirt portion l -3 having side edges i8 projecting forwardly and upwardly from the rear split portion Mi thereof underneath each armpit 26 of the wearer, in my preferred embodiment, over the wearer's bosom to substantially adjacent each shoulder blade joint and a top edge 52 extending across the wearers chest above the bosom 32. A pocket 55 is provided along each side edge, in the preferred embodiment by means of hemming a separate band 59 to the inner surface ofthe bib portion adjacent each side edge thereof by the stitching 60. Each pocket 56 contains a forwardly and upwardly projecting spring end 28, the back portion and loop 22 thereof being contained in the pocket 42, and the side portion 2 and front portion 23 being contained in the pocket 56. The spring ends l-t are preferably of greater length than the diameter of the waist encircling band it, so that, as shown in Fig. 6, when it is desired to carry or pack the garment, the front ends 28 of the spring ends 14 may be inserted underneath the waist encircling band is to form a fiat frame on which the gown fabric may be folded to provide a neat package, if it be desired to carry the gown, and a small compass if it be desired to pack the gown. If it be desired to hang it up on a hook, such as the hook 62, as shown in Fig. 7, the rear portion of the waist encircling portion 16 of the spring is tilted downwardly, tilting. the front portion upwardly to rise above the bib portion so that it may be readily hung on the hook.

To attach the apron in, it is merely necessary to spread apart, or resiliently space the looped ends 22 of the spring i2 to permit the passage of the waist between said ends, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, it being obvious that after the ends are passed by the waist, the tempered spring may be released and the waist encircling portion will resiliently spring to its set position embracing and hugging the wearer's waist 64. If the front portions 28 of the spring clip are extended to adjacent the shoulder blade joints above the wearer's bosom and the bib portion 20 of the gown fabric similarly extended, it is obvious that the gown will be draped and supported on the wearers bosom, the waist encircling portion it merely fitting the waist loosely. To remove the apron from the wearer, the wearer merely reaches behind her back to grasp the looped ends 22 of the prehensile spring l2, separates them and brings them forward to quickly remove the apron from the wearer.

It is thus obvious that I have provided an apron which may be readily put on and taken off by the housewife very quickly. Any suitable type of fabric may be employed depending upon its use. If desired, sheet rubber or Cellophane may be employed, or any suitable type of sheet resin, or woven knitted fabric. The rain coat shown in Fig. 3. is preferably made out of rubber, or other water-proof material. The apron shown in Fig. 1 may be made out of sheet latex and thus will never have to be cleaned. The ball gown may be made of silk or any suitable fabric. The embodiments shown in Figs. 3 and 4 may be put on and taken off in similar fashion with the split portions thereof secured together by the zipper or other suitable type of separable fastener employed. They may, if desired, be put on over the head, or as a step-in. The bib portion 20 may be made of any desired height, but the device will not be draped over or supported by the wearers bosom unless the bib portion extends above the bosom.

It is apparent that with the construction shown, the same frame may be used repeatedly for different types of gowns, or for replacements of th gown.

It is apparent that I have provided a novel type, of shoulderless gown, which may be made in various types of garments with the advantages explained above.

It is understood that my invention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown and that various deviations may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A shoulderless gown comprising a prehensile spring frame comprising a piece of wire havin a tempered central portion set to substantially embrace a wearers waist and end portions at the rear thereof each first looped outwardly and then projecting forwardly and upwardly first as a back portion over a kidney portion of the wearers back, then as a side portion beneath an armpit of the wearer and finally as a front portion extending upwardly substantially exterior of the breast of the wearer and terminating on the wearers chest and a gown fabric split centrally at the rear thereof from the waist for a distance upwards, each split portion having a pocket at the waist containing a looped end of the waist encirling spring, said gown fabric having a skirt portion at least partially encircling the wearers nether portion and having a bib "portion extending upwards from the front of said skirt portion having side edges projecting forwardly and upwardly from the rear split portion thereof underneath each armpit of the wearer and over the wearers bosom and a top edge extending across the wearers chest and a band hemmed to each side edge of said bib portion forming a pocket containing a forwardly and upwardly projecting spring end whereby after the waist encircling portion of said spring is resiliently spaced for attachment around the portion of said spring is resiliently spaced for. Q

wearer's waist and released to its set position embracing said waist, said gown is draped and supported on the wearer and for packing purposes the ends of said spring frame may be bent downwardly through the waist encircling portion to spring outwardly underneath it to form a fiat frame around which the gown may be folded to take up a small compass.

2. A shoulderless gown comprising a prehensile spring frame comprising a piece of wire havin a tempered central portion set to substantially embrace a wearers waist and end portions at the rear thereof each first looped outwardly and then projecting forwardly and upwardly first as a back portion over a kidney portion of the wearers back and then as a side portion beneath an armpit of the wearer and finally as a front portion extending upwardly substantially exterior of the breast of the wearer and terminating on the wearers chest substantially adjacent a shoulder blade joint above the wearers bosom.

clamping a side of.the wearers torso between 7 each shoulder blade joint and a top edge extending across the wearer's chest above the bosom and a band hemmed to each side edge of said bib portion forming a pocket containing a forwardly and upwardly projecting spring end whereby for packing purposes the ends of said spring frame may be bent downwardly through the waist encircling portion to spring outwardly underneath it to form a fiat frame around which the gown may be folded to take up a small compass.

3. A prehensile spring frame for a shoulderless gown comprising a piece of wire having a tempered central portion set to substantially embrace a wearers waist and end portions at the rear thereof each first looped outwardly and then projecting forwardly and upwardly for a greater distance than the diameter of said waist encircling portion first as a back portion over a kidney portionof the wearers back, then as a side portion beneath an armpit of the wearer and finally as a front portion extending upwardly substantially exterior of the breast of the wearer and terminating in a looped end on the wearers chest substantially adjacent a shoulder blade joint above the wearers bosom, clamping a side of the wearers torso between said front and back portions, and a protective covering for each looped end whereby after the waist encircling attachment around the wearers waist and released to its set position embracing said waist,

a gown supported thereon is draped and supported on the wearers bosom and for packing purposes the ends-of said spring frame may be bent downwardly through the waist encircling portion to spring outwardly underneath it to form a fiat frame around which the gown may be folded to take up a small compass.

OTIS. M. BAILEY. 

